While Peters argues the breeding industry should be regulated, and that should be the focus of our efforts, he fails to mention, that the majority of his puppies come from the United States, therefore, Canadian breeding regulations would have no impact on him. Further, he argues that all the breeders are AKC certified and USDA regulated. As indicated in several investigative reports, neither of these designations ensure the humane treatment and strict breeding practices. This is unlike the Canadian Kennel Club, which actually prohibits its members to sell their animals through pet stores. The mere fact that these facilities have to be USDA inspected indicates that they are large scale “farm” like operations. Simply put, no reputable breeder would sell their animals through a store. They want to ensure that they are going to a proper home. It is not uncommon for these breeders to do home and reference checks. And they will always take the animal back, at any point in that animal’s life.

I also find it curious that he is so adamant that his puppies do not come from puppy mills, when there has been so much evidence that clearly shows the Hunte Corporation gets its puppies from mills. In addition, an undercover investigation of the Hunte Corporation clearly shows animal welfare concerns in their operations.

He also failed to mentioned that just last week, based on complaints from the community, BC SPCA conducted an investigation and ordered actions (some immediate and some to be done over the coming weeks).

I would like to encourage you to interview people who have purchased animals from his store to find out that they are sick. I would be happy to share these stories with you and I am sure these people would be more than happy to speak with you.

No where does Peters indicate which town in Quebec these kittens are coming from and which groups he is working with to bring them here, so no one has been able to verify this. However, the fact that he brings in multiple litters of kittens brings into question whether these are actually “rescue cats”. Anyone who does kitten and cat rescue will surely tell you that rescue never looks that pretty.

Our community does not need more cats, so while King Ed Pets does not get their cats from mills, selling kittens only serves to contribute to an already out of control homeless cat over population problem.

Finally, opponents to a ban, like Peters and Kinman argue that this will not solved the problem. Given the complexity of the problem, there is not one single initiative that will. Rather, there are multiple changes that must be made and a ban on the retail sale of these pets is one.